A group, lead by Lt. Governor Shelia Simon, that is studying ways to cut school district administration costs is getting closer to issuing its final report.
The Classrooms First Commission held a series of public hearings in recent months to gather public comment on how to make rural school districts more efficient and effective. Commission chair, Lt. Governor Sheila Simon, says the group meets Tuesday to go over the public comments. Simons says she's happy with how the process is moving along. The commission's draft proposal claims districts could save up to $1 billion simply by studying each other's budgets to find new ideas for cutting costs. It also calls for the state to make it easier for small schools to consolidate. The plan does not include any mandatory merger of schools. Simon says one of her main goals for the Classrooms First Commission is to better equip schools to educate students. The commission's final report is expected in June.